Two Olympians, Paralympian among athletes included in Atletang Ayala program

Nineteen elite Filipino athletes have been selected for the Ayala Foundation’s Atletang Ayala program, which provides both sports training support and career development opportunities within the Ayala Group.

This year’s cohort includes a diverse group of athletes who have excelled in national and international arenas, such as the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics, and the 2024 Paris Paralympics.

Olympian rower Joanie Delgaco is among the distinguished members of this batch.

“Atletang Ayala will help me a lot in terms of extra support for my training here and abroad. It will also help me as a professional in the Ayala group, in terms of new skills and knowledge imparted by the program,” said Delgaco, the first Pinay to compete in Olympic rowing.

Also selected was Allain Ganapin, who represented the country in taekwondo at the 2024 Paris Paralympics.

“I see that the Atletang Ayala program will help us in training, conditioning, and nutrition and will bring us to world-level competitions so that we can become Olympic and Paralympic medalists in the future,” he said.

Aside from Delgaco and Ganapin, the following athletes have been selected for the Atletang Ayala program: Amparo Acuña, shooting; Kurt Barbosa, taekwondo (Tokyo Olympics 2021); Jason Baucas, wrestling; Abby Bidaure, archery; Baby Canabal, taekwondo; Janna Catantan, fencing; Dave Cea, taekwondo; Allaine Cortey, fencing; Laila Delo, taekwondo; John Ferrer, judo; Veronica Garces, taekwondo; Leah Jhane Lopez, judo; Noelito Jose Jr., fencing; Nathaniel Perez, fencing; Franchette Quiroz, shooting; Jonathan Reaport, archery; and Sammuel Tranquilan, fencing.

The Atletang Ayala program augments resources for training and competition while providing opportunities for career growth. Aside from full-salaried employment with flexible work arrangements, the athletes will be covered by Healthway Medical Network’s Athletes’ Health program, which includes physiotherapy, strength and conditioning, and sports psychology; gain access to world-class sports and fitness facilities at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub in Cavite; and receive fixed support for international training camps and competitions. Aside from these, they will also actively participate in sports-related and volunteer programs of various Ayala companies and the Ayala Foundation. This cohort will be part of the program for the next four years.

Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala, AC Mobility CEO, who welcomed the athletes at a special event held at the Ayala headquarters in Makati City, said: “Through the Atletang Ayala program, the Ayala group seeks to inspire more Filipinos to pursue their athletic dreams and bring the nation together through sports.”

Added Ayala Foundation President Tony Lambino: “Atletang Ayala is the group’s investment in the next generation of sports leaders who will influence and inspire others to excel in whatever field they choose.”

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Shaky performance? Maicah Larroza knows what awaits the DLSU Lady Spikers

Coach Ramil de Jesus waiting at the Enrique M. Razon Sports Center for another intensive training session has become an inside joke among De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers fans whenever the team underperforms in a game.

This joke resurfaced during a nerve-wracking five-set match between DLSU and the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles on Sunday night, marking a revival of their slightly slumbering rivalry.

Among the viewers at home was former Lady Spiker Maicah Larroza, who couldn’t help but join in on the humorous real-time comments from fans on X (formerly Twitter).

Due to the tight nature of the game, a user with the handle @parkjawngseong shared two photos of the legendary mentor and commented, “I just know he’s waiting at Razon’s entrance right now,” referring to the Enrique M. Razon Sports Center in La Salle where the Lady Spikers hold their training sessions.

Maicah, finding it relatable and humorous, immediately reshared the post with a simple “Legit,” followed by a laughing emoji.

LEGIT https://t.co/1kBwgLTpYr

— Maicah Larroza (@maicahlrrz_) November 3, 2024

Former DLSU setter Julia Coronel confirmed the validity of the original post by leaving a supportive comment on Maicah’s post.

While it may have become a laughing matter for his former mentees, it highlights the value of excellence that Coach de Jesus continues to instill in the girls who experience his mentorship.

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Judel Fuentes shines as Quezon enters MPBL South Finals

The Quezon Huskers rode on the hot hands of Judel Fuentes to eliminate the Parañaque Patriots, 76-69, in Game 2 of the MPBL South Division semifinals on Monday night at the Batangas City Coliseum.

Fuentes pumped in 10 of his game-high 27 points in the fourth quarter to power the Huskers to the Southern Division Finals after sweeping their best-of-three division semis.

“Blessed ako na ‘yung mga tira ko pumasok naman and ‘yung mga teammates ko buo ang tiwala sa akin at pinapasa nila sa akin ‘yung bola,” Fuentes said during his Player of the Game interview.

Fuentes was the lone Husker in twin digits, with Jason Opiso and team skipper Gab Banal contributing eight points each and Alvin Abundo chipping in seven, all in the first half.

John Paul Sarao wound up with 26 points, eight rebounds, and two steals, while Jielo Razon backed him up with 15 points as the Patriots ended their campaign this season.

Meanwhile, the Batangas City Tanduay Rhum Masters forced a do-or-die Game 3 following an 81-79 escape over the South Cotabato Warriors in Game 2 of their South Division semis series.

Levi Hernandez top-scored for Batangas City with 15 points, while Juneric Baloria and Philip Paniamogan contributed 14 and 13 markers, respectively, as they bounced back from their 87-76 Game 1 defeat last week.

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Royals keep RHP Michael Wacha on reported $51M deal

Royals right-hander Michael Wacha will remain in Kansas City for the next three seasons, agreeing to a $51 million deal that could max out at $72 million, multiple media outlets reported on Sunday.

The Royals announced they had agreed to a new contract with Wacha, featuring a club option for 2028, but did not disclose financial terms.

Per the reports, Wacha, 33, will earn $18 million in 2025 and 2026 and $14 million in 2027. According to ESPN, the third year of the deal could be worth an additional $4 million in performance bonuses. The $14 million club option, with a $1 million buyout, includes the same $4 million in incentives.

A 12-year veteran, Wacha was expected to opt out of the final year of his two-year, $32 million deal he signed last winter, ESPN reported. Instead he will remain with the Royals, who reached the postseason but lost to the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series.

The Royals were able to negotiate with Wacha during the five-day quiet period after the World Series when teams can re-sign their pending free agents.

Playing for his sixth team in the last six seasons, Wacha posted strong numbers in 2024, finishing 13-8 in 29 starts with a 3.35 ERA to help Kansas City improve its win total by 30 games over its 2023 record. In 166 2/3 innings, Wacha notched 145 strikeouts and issued 45 walks.

Wacha was drafted No. 19 overall by the Cardinals in 2012 and spent his seven seasons in St. Louis (2013-19) before playing for the New York Mets (2020), Tampa Bay Rays (2021), Boston Red Sox (2022), San Diego Padres (2023) and Royals.

Over his 12 seasons, Wacha is 101-62 with a 3.89 ERA in 278 games (257 starts) with 1,290 strikeouts and 458 walks in 1,454 2/3 innings.

–Field Level Media (Source: REUTERS)

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TNT center JP Erram heckled with ‘iyakin’ chants

In Game 4 of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals on Sunday night, it was TNT Tropang Giga center John Paul Erram’s turn to face heckling from Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings fans.

The former Ateneo de Manila University big man was met with “iyakin” chants from the Gin Kings’ supporters after he complained about a foul called against him in the third quarter.

Despite the taunts, Erram appeared unfazed and was even seen humming along.

IYAKIN CHANTS

Poy Erram shrugs off ‘iyakin’ chants in a packed Araneta crowd in the third quarter of this thrilling Game 4 between TNT and Barangay Ginebra at the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup Finals.#PBASeason49 #PBAAngatAngLaban #OneSports #PBAFinals pic.twitter.com/4QvuN5j1cI

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) November 3, 2024

This wasn’t the first instance of Gin Kings fans heckling Erram; they also targeted him during the 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup championship series.

In Game 3, it was Tropang Giga reinforcement Rondae Hollis-Jefferson who faced jeers from diehard Ginebra supporters whenever he approached the free throw line or missed three-point attempts.

The championship series between the Tropang Giga and the Gin Kings is now tied at 2-2 following Ginebra’s 106-92 victory in Game 4.

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Grizzlies use balanced effort to pull away from 76ers

Jay Huff scored a career-high 20 points in 14 minutes to highlight a balanced attack by the Memphis Grizzlies, who earned a 124-107 road win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday.

A 27-year-old journeyman, Huff was playing under a two-way contract until signing a four-year deal with Memphis on Monday. He shot 7 of 10 from the floor and 5 of 7 from 3-point range off the bench and was one of seven Grizzlies who scored in double figures.

Tyrese Maxey scored 23 points and rookie Jared McCain had a career-high 19 to pace the Sixers, who continued to play without stars Joel Embiid and Paul George. Both players practiced fully on Friday, including five-on-five scrimmages.

Kelly Oubre Jr. made three 3-pointers to help Philadelphia lead 28-24 after the first quarter, but Memphis began to take control late in the second.

The Grizzlies trailed 51-45 with 3 1/2 minutes left when Scotty Pippen Jr.’s 3-pointer ignited a 14-1 run to end the half. Ja Morant scored five points during the surge before Zach Edey’s tip-in sent Memphis into intermission with a 59-52 lead.

Huff was the star of the third quarter, scoring 12 points on 4-of-4 shooting, including 3-of-3 from 3-point range. The Grizzlies outscored the Sixers 33-23 in the period to take control of the contest.

Morant’s layup pushed the lead to 69-58, and a free throw by Jaren Jackson Jr. gave Memphis a 20-point cushion with 2:04 left in the quarter. Huff drained three 3-pointers and recorded a dunk in just over two minutes as the Grizzlies pulled away.

Memphis led by as many as 25 points in the fourth quarter.

Jackson paced the Grizzlies with 27 points, while Morant had 18 points and 12 assists. Jaylen Wells chipped in 15 points, and Pippen (12 points, 13 assists), Santi Aldama (10 points, 13 rebounds) and Edey (10 points, 10 boards) each registered double-doubles. (REUTERS)

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It makes no sense to play after floods in Spain, says Atletico boss Simeone

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone said on Saturday it made no sense to play this weekend after catastrophic floods swept the eastern region of Spain.

The deadliest flash floods in Spain’s modern history have killed at least 211 people and dozens were still unaccounted for, four days after torrential rains swept the region of Valencia, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said earlier on Saturday.

The tragedy is already Europe’s worst flood-related disaster since 1967 when at least 500 people died in Portugal.

Saturday’s clash between Valencia and Real Madrid, as well as Villarreal versus Rayo Vallecano are among several games postponed over the weekend after the floods.

“It doesn’t make any sense,” Simeone told reporters ahead of his side’s home game against Las Palmas on Sunday.

“What is happening is very hard; it is very moving to see the people who went out on the streets to help, who with a shovel and their tools are trying to collaborate and that speaks very well of the country, of the people, and we want to help wherever we can.

“There are people having a very hard time, it’s very sad and they tell us to continue and here we are, continuing.”

Atletico, fifth in the LaLiga standings with 20 points from 11 matches, host 18th-placed Las Palmas and Simeone expects a tough test.

Last month, Las Palmas named former Espanyol boss Diego Martinez as their new coach.

“We have a tough game against a team that has improved a lot since the arrival of the coach,” Simeone said.

“They are more forceful and I imagine a dangerous game, with a lot of counter-attacking, fast people in attack and we will try to have a game with these situations under control and get it out with the help of our fans, which is always fundamental.”
(Reuters)

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